Obituary of Patricia Veum-Smith

Patricia Veum-Smith

2/23/42-11/29/22

Patricia (Hopkins) Veum-Smith, 80 of Minneapolis passed away peacefully at Fairview Riverside Hospital, Minneapolis, MN on November 29, 2022.   Patricia K. Hopkins was born on February 23, 1942.  She was the youngest of nine children born to Nellie (Olson) and Neil Hopkins of Villard, Minnesota.  She attended Villard Public Schools, graduating with the Villard High School class of 1960.  In the fall of 1960, she began college as a charter member when the University of Minnesota, Morris first opened its doors to the public.  Patty graduated from the Twin Cities campus with a degree in elementary education in 1964. She went on to become an elementary school teacher, eventually settling in Oak Park, IL, where she taught several grades over a span of three decades. Her principal said he could put her anywhere and she could do the job. Pat retained her ties to Villard and the surrounding area, ultimately buying a cabin there where she spent many of her summers. Pat was an enthusiastic traveler, and had a wide range of interests from theater to cooking. She loved to entertain. She was a loyal member to First United Methodist Church in Oak Park, IL and Prospect Park United Methodist in Minneapolis, MN. She was a beloved friend, wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, aunt, teacher and colleague to many people and will be dearly missed. Pat is survived by her husband, Tom Smith, siblings June Frederick and Charles Hopkins, sons Chris and Mick Veum, step-sons Kevin, Phil, and Steve Smith,  grandchildren Christine Koscielniak, Sydney Veum Handley, Simone Veum, Edie and Yena Veum, Gillian and Camden Smith, Aria and Cadence Smith, and Nate Smith, as well as a great-grandson, Brady Koscielniak. A celebration of her life is being planned for a date in the spring of 2023, to be held in her adopted home of Minneapolis.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to Feed My Starving Children.